J.R. Buffalo, R.N.: Nurses don't deserve sex fantasy stereotype

John Stossel's Jan. 2 column, "Busybodies nursing a stupid grudge against Heart Attack Grill," regarding an Arizona restaurant using the old stereotype of nurses as sexual fantasy objects, shows a willful ignorance and real disregard for America's most well-respected health care professionals.

As a nurse for more than 20 years, I'm well aware of this kind of cheap play-acting under the guise of fun - in this case, involving waitresses dressed as nurses - makes its rounds through our culture on a regular basis. It's always tiresome and harks back to junior high school boys and some of Hollywood's worst offerings.

I wonder if Stossel would feel differently about nurses being portrayed in something less than a respectful way if he ever actually needed a real nurse after having a stroke or a heart attack or developing diabetes after eating at a place like the Heart Attack Grill.

Stossel might think the nurses in Arizona need more of a sense of humor, and that the Arizona Board of Nursing was being heavy-handed toward the owner of the Heart Attack Grill in pressing its case that only actual nurses should be referred to with that title.

What would really be funny, though, is if Stossel tried working as a nurse in America, where we have growing numbers of uninsured, chronically unhealthy people, and a government unable and unwilling to address them.